Electric-plug puller and insulator



March 4, 1969 A. R. MUNYON 3 5 ELECTRIC-PLUG FULLER AND INSULATOR FiledMay 18, 1967 ENVENTOR. ALFRED R. MUNYON W k. W;

ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,431,535 ELECTRIC-PLUG PULLER AND INSULATOR AlfredR. Munyon, 14 W. 2nd Ave., Mantua, NJ. 08051 Filed May 18, 1967, Ser.No. 639,562 U.S. Cl. 339-45 6 Claims Int. Cl. H01r 13/62, 13/00 ABSTRACTOF THE DISCLOSURE Summary It is an important object of the presentinvention to provide an attachment for electric plugs which serves tospace and effectively insulate the plug from the outlet receptacle orsocket, and also affords an effective handgrasping means for withdrawingthe plug from a socket without damage to the plug, socket, or electriccord.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an attachmentfor an electric plug which further affords a cushioning or bumper actionto a plug to prevent damage thereto under conditions of rough treatment.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an attachmentfor electric plugs having the advantageous characteristics mentioned inthe preceding paragraphs which is extremely simple in construction,durable and reliable in use throughout a long useful life, adapted topresent a neat, attractive and enhancing appearance to electric plugs,and which can be economically manufactured for sale at a reasonableprice.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings,which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope will be indicated by the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawing FIGURE 1 is a perspective viewillustrating an electricplug insulator and puller constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention in operativeassociation with a plug.

FIGURE 2 is a generally horizontal sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view illustrating the plug insulator andpuller of the present invention apart from an electric plug.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring now more particularlyto the drawing, and specifically to FIGURE 4 thereof, the device of thepresent invention is there generally designated 10, and may include anelongate strip 11 of flexible insulating material, such as polyethyleneor other suitable plastic, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment,the strip 11 may be of generally rectangular configuration, havingopposite end portions 12 each formed with a pair of closed end slots 13.

More specifically, the slots 13 of each pair are spaced longitudinallyof the strip 11, in the respective end region 3,431,535 Patented Mar. 4,1969 thereof, and configured and arranged to extend transversely of thestrip, terminating at their opposite ends short of the side edges of thestrip.

In the assembled, operative condition of FIGURES 1-3, the strip 11 ofdevice 10" is bent or flexed to locate its opposite end portions 12 inoverlapping relation, with each pair of openings or slots 13 inrespective registry with the other pair.

An electric plug is generally designated 15, including a body 16 havinga pair of laterally spaced prongs 17 projecting from one side 18 of thebody. Extending from the opposite side 19 of the body 16 may be atwo-conductor wire or electric cord 20.

The strip 11 in its hereinbefore described flexed condition of a loop isarranged with its overlying end portions 12 in adjacent facing relationwith respect to the side 18 of plug body 16, with prongs 17 extendingthrough registering openings 13. This condition is best seen in FIG- URE2.

In this condition, the plug 15 has its prongs 17 inserted into anelectrical-outlet receptacle or socket 22, with the overlying strip endportions 12 interposed in sandwiched relation between the socket 22 andplug-body face or side 18 to afford insulation therebetween and aneffectiveabsorbing cushion to minimize possible damage to the plug 15and socket 22.

When it is desired to remove or withdraw the plug 15 from the socket 22,specifically to withdraw the plug prongs 17 from the socket, the loopedstrip 11 provides a convenient grasping means, one or more fingers beinginserted through the loop for quick and easy withdrawal of the plug. Ofcourse, the plug may be replaced in its inserted condition in the usualmanner.

While a preferred embodiment of the instant device has been illustratedand described, it is appreciated that the device 10 may assume differentforms, such as that of an endless loop, or additional means may beprovided for securement of the loop to the plug, or other variationsemployed, if desired.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides acombination electric-plug puller and insulator which fully accomplishesits intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions ofmanufacture, installation and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, itis understood that certain changes and modifications may be made withinthe spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, an electric-plug body, a pair of prongs extendingfrom one side of said body for insertion into a socket with said onebody side facing the socket, and a loop of flexible insulating materialextending generally about said body, said loop having one portionextending on said one side of said body for location between said bodyand a socket and having an opposite portion outwardly of said body forlocation remote from the socket, whereby said loop insulates said bodyfrom the socket and is adapted to be grasped at said opposite portionfor withdrawing said body and prongs from the socket.

2. The combination according to claim 1, said loop comprising a band ofplastic material.

3. The combination according to claim 1, said loop comprising a strip ofplastic material.

4. The combination according to claim 3, said strip having aperturesadjacent to opposite strip ends, said prongs extending through saidapertures.

5. The combination according to claim 3, said strip having its oppositeend portions each provided with a pair 3 4 o f apertures, said strip endportions being in overlying 3,160,947 12/1964 Sunderlin 33945.XRrelation with said pairs of apertures in registry and each ,215,97111/1965 Cap 33945 X pair of apertures receiving said pair of prongs.

FOR N 6. The combination according to claim 5, the apertures EIG PATENTSof each pair being spaced longitudinally of said strip. 5 556449 4/1923France References Cited MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. UNITEDSTATES PATENTS PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, Asslstant Examzner. 1,749,623 3/1930Zinman 339 110 2,962,197 11/1960 Spangler 339 45 XR 339-110

